Looks like there will be another Chinese launch on March 31 ~03:20 UTC from Taiyuan! The payload is apparently 3 follow-on satellites to GF-1 (it's apparently NOT GF-6) but details are unusually murky for civilian EO satellites in China (yet still more than military birds).
Details coming soon in a dedicated thread.
Clearly infected by the Yaogan Virus which results in confusing names!! :)Numbering is always logical in the Cosmos-series ;D ;D
Chinese media quoting the Chinese State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) confirms that the 3 satellites launching tomorrow are known as GF-1-02, 03 & 04. They are identical to GF-1(-01) launched in April 2013 and will be used as an operational constellation.
Source (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/AveB_G5FpZAjNuBopQHqmA)
2018年3月31日11点22分，高分一号02、03、04卫星以一箭三星方式搭载长征二号丙运载火箭，由太原卫星发射中心发射成功。
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YpHIgXR7JPVw0Vj3YYwRLQ
...and two launch photos:
(photo by Xu Chuenlei/Xinhua)
CZ-4C s/n Y26 was used for this launch.
The design life span is 6 years. The spatial resolution is 2m in full color, multi-spectrum is better than 8m
Expected launch code name: 05-58Confirmed
We have TLEs for four objects at present: 2018-031A/43259, B/43260, C/43261 and G/43265. Rather a lot of debris up there!Yep, here are the orbits:
We have TLEs for four objects at present: 2018-031A/43259, B/43260, C/43261 and G/43265. Rather a lot of debris up there!Yep, here are the orbits:
2018-031A/43259 in 493 x 645 km x 98.077°
2018-031B/43260 in 637 x 641 km x 98.033°
2018-031C/43261 in 639 x 643 km x 98.025°
2018-031D/43262 in 635 x 642 km x 98.033°
2018-031E/43263 no data
2018-031F/43264 no data
2018-031G/43265 in 639 x 647 km x 98.024°
From these orbits, I would assume that the one for A represents the CZ-4C third stage, so I would expect a little re-arranging if the designators/catalogue numbers might take place.As of now, eight objects are catalogued.
Objects B and D has maneuvered, so these are satellites.
A, C, and new object J are candidates for the third satellite.
| 3 satellites, 2 adapters, 1 3rd stage, the 3 remaining objects could be telescope covers (one per satellite) |
the 3 remaining objects could be telescope covers (one per satellite)There're two telescopes at each satellite.
I know, that does not exclude the possibility of a joint lid for both telescopesthe 3 remaining objects could be telescope covers (one per satellite)There're two telescopes at each satellite.